Kilkenny Minister announces over €570,000 to protect archaeological monuments in Kilkenny

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, has  announced that over €570,000 in funding will be awarded to 12 projects in Kilkenny to help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future.

The funding is part of a national announcement that will see over €7.4 million awarded to 140 projects around the country through the 2024 Community Monuments Fund.

Kilkenny projects that will receive funding include Grangefertagh, (€84,034.30), Tubbrid Medieval Church,(€118,304.33), 19 Parliament Street, (€100,000), 21 Parliament Street (€100,000), Kellymount Graveyard, (€18,388.50), Castleinch Church, (€18,265.50), Churchclara Church and Graveyard (€20,541), St Catherine’s Church and Graveyard, Rathbeagh, (€15,375), Cloghabrody Graveyard, (€13,245.60), Garryduff Graveyard (€23,903.25), St Canice’s Cathedral Close (€30,000) and Kenny's Well (€30,000).

First established in 2020, the Community Monuments Fund aims to conserve, maintain, protect and promote local monuments and historic sites. Funding is available to allow conservation works to be carried out on monuments that are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support. The aim is to encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation and also to build their resilience to help them withstand the effects of climate change. 

The CMF supports essential repairs and capital works for the conservation of archaeological monuments and also the development of Conservation Management Plans to identify measures that may be needed to conserve monuments. Grants are also available to enhance public access infrastructure and interpretation at archaeological monuments.

First established in 2020, the Community Monuments Fund aims to conserve, maintain, protect and promote local monuments and historic sites. Funding is available to allow conservation works to be carried out on monuments that are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support. The aim is to encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation and also to build their resilience to help them withstand the effects of climate change. 

The CMF supports essential repairs and capital works for the conservation of archaeological monuments and also the development of Conservation Management Plans to identify measures that may be needed to conserve monuments. Grants are also available to enhance public access infrastructure and interpretation at archaeological monuments.

Meanwhile Councillor John Coonan has also welcomed the funding for projects in Kilkenny City.